So last night I removed the heater discharge hose at the through bulkhead
fitting in the engine compartment. I started the engine and steaming hot water
shot out through the fitting, showing that the heater core is clear and moving
coolant.
I had previously blocked off the coolant bypass (the little hose) using a
pipe plug. I got the idea from Bob Schaller. I decided to remove that, which
made no change.
It looks like something is preventing the coolant from returning from the
heater core to the radiator. I'll check tonight to see if the line is clear
from
the through bulkhead fitting (on the return) to the radiator. The car has a 185
thermostat in it and heats up to 185 when driving it on a cold night, so it
appears the thermostat is working right. I also have the electric fan set to
185. I am thinking about changing out the thermostat tonight, but I fail to see
what this would have to do with the heater return line.
Any ideas?
-Bill in Tehachapi
----- Original Message ----
From: William Brewer <wsb1960tr3a at att.net>
To: Triumphs <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Sent: Sun, November 6, 2011 11:16:21 PM
Subject: TR3 Maradyne Heater
A couple of years ago I installed a Maradyne heater in my TR3A. It was
designed for a farm tractor, but fit in the TR. I got the idea from HVDA who
did
the same. It has worked very well compared to the original TR3A heater or a
Triumph Spitfire core that I was using before the Maradyne. Anyway, we just had
our second snow here in Tehachapi and the heater is blowing cold air. I checked
the valve on top of the head and when the car is running, water is going
through
there. I gently blew the heater core out with a garden hose and it looks clear.
What could be downstream from this that would block the coolant from going
through the core? The car is running a 185 thermostat and getting up to
temperature. I have the radiator part way blocked off to try to keep the heat
in
the engine compartment. The hose feeding the heater core is warm (not hot) and
the hose leaving the core is cold.
The last communication I had from FT was that he told me he had a heater
in
his TR that would burn you out of the cockpit it worked so well. I wonder what
he had. I wonder what happened to his TR, does anyone know?
Man, I am tired of trying to stay warm in a TR. Driving it to work
tomorrow, bundled up.
TIA,
-Bill in Tehachapi
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